Cancer Research game looks to find a cure through play

Cancer Research UK has released a game called Genes in Space that sees players contributing to actual research into the ailment through play.

It comes as part of Cancer Research UK's 'Play to Cure' line, which sees gamers subliminally analysing data through play. The idea is that players will guide a starship through levels littered with asteroids, which are mapped from data extracted from gene microarrays.

These arrays are designed to identify areas of the human genome that might cause Cancer, and they produce such a vast volume of data that it takes scientists years to read through them. Games like Genes in Space help speed up that process.

In a statement, Cancer Research UK spokesperson Hannah Keartland said, "Every single second gamers spend playing our smartphone game directly helps our work to beat cancer sooner. Our scientists' research produces colossal amounts of data, some of which can only be analysed by the human eye - a process which can take years.

"We urge people to give two minutes of their time wherever and whenever they can - whether they're on their daily commute or in the hairdressers having a blow dry. Together, our free moments will help bring forward the day when all cancers are cured."

Here's a making-of trailer:

You can download Genes in Space on Android and iOS by hitting the links.